Review
'Christian theology, if it is worth anything at all, must continually return to the scandalous claim that Jesus Christ is Lord. Daniel J. Treier's Lord Jesus Christ is an outstanding and illuminating examination of Christology in light of Holy Scripture's dramatic arc from God's life in himself to creation's eschatological communion with God. Rooted in a series of characteristically brilliant theological expositions of the names of Christ, this is a book you will find yourself reading and rereading to great benefit. It is a book that will drive you to the text of Holy Writ to hear anew its affirmation of the risen Lord. One would expect nothing less from a theologian of his caliber.' -- Daniel L. Hill, assistant professor of Christian theology, Truett Seminary, Baylor University
'Daniel Treier has given the church a tour-de-force through the intricacies of Christological discussion across the ages, always keeping an eye on helping the reader inhabit the biblical story narrating the creation, redemption, and consummation of all things in the Lord Jesus Christ. What may appear on the surface to be a narrow doctrinal treatment of Christology has become in the hands of a remarkably skilled theologian a summing up of all things in Christ. Treier never loses sight of the deep conviction of Scripture, that it is Jesus who has written us into his story rather than us fitting Jesus into our own narratives. This book is a precious gift to the church and to any who want to dig deep into Christology writ large.' -- Richard Lints, senior advisor, Redeemer City-to-City
'Good theology should not only provide answers to questions but also provoke better ones. This book does both; through patient exegesis and careful reflection it offers insightful and helpful answers, and through exploration and inquiry it raises fresh questions that warrant further analysis. Many scholars talk about theological interpretation of Christian Scripture, but Dan Treier actually does it, and the result is a treasure trove of theological exegesis that strives to be both faithful to the biblical text and informed by the insights of the creedal and confessional tradition as well as attentive to the concerns of distinctly modern theologians. Careful readers--including not only those inclined to agree but also and perhaps especially those who might question various judgments or challenge certain conclusions--will benefit greatly. I know that I shall return to this book again and again.' -- Thomas H. McCall, Timothy C. and Julie M. Tennent Chair of Theology, Asbury Theological Seminary
'Grounded in exegesis of the biblical text, conversant with the history of theology, and engaged with contemporary debates of lasting significance--Daniel Treier offers a superb Christology. This text will not only prove useful in the classroom; it will also become a methodological standard. Lord Jesus Christ is modern theological interpretation of Scripture as it should be written. The chapter on Philippians 2 alone is worth the price of the book you hold in your hands, while the entire arc of this theodrama makes it priceless.' -- Malcolm B. Yarnell III, research professor of theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
'In Lord Jesus Christ, Dan Treier has given the church a precious gift, a fresh articulation--biblically based, historically informed, doctrinally aware, culturally alert, and elegantly structured--of the answer to the Christian's most important question: Who do we say Jesus is? In providing a clear, cogent, and comprehensive response, and in modelling healthy interaction between biblical exegesis and systematic theology, Treier's book is (to borrow one of its key terms) the epitome of evangelical dogmatic Christology.' -- Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
'Lord Jesus Christ does a masterful job exploring Christology through the lens of dogmatic theology. Treier couples his extensive knowledge of theology with his expertise in biblical exegesis, providing an excellent intermediate-level examination of key aspects of Christ's person and work. Written from a Reformed position, Treier engages a broad range of global, female, and minoritized voices, as well as numerous scholars in biblical studies. Lord Jesus Christ is a must-have resource pastors and scholars will return to again and again.' -- Lynn H. Cohick, distinguished professor of New Testament, Houston Theological Seminary
'Lord Jesus Christ is a deeply informed confessional and exercise in constructive theology. From the introduction to the final chapter, Treier's volume abounds with biblical insights as well as careful syntheses of historical and contemporary issues. Perhaps most compelling is the way Treier allows Scripture's form and content to dictate the shape and categories of Christology, resulting in a Christology that is both from above and below. Thorough yet succinct, this is an exceptional scriptural, traditional, and contemporary account of the wonder of the Lord Jesus.' -- Uche Anizor, professor of theology, Biola University
'Modern Christology has left a wasteland in its wake, from its bifurcation of Jesus of Nazareth and the Christ of faith to the rise of kenotic Christology's abandonment of Christ's divine attributes. Even evangelicals have been susceptible to revisionism by means of Spirit Christology. But Daniel Treier's Lord Jesus Christ is a shelter for refugees weary from the winds of modern Christology. The conspicuous strength of Daniel Treier is his ability to rigorously exegete Scripture by means of an orthodox commitment to Chalcedon. Treier is also refreshing because he demonstrates the entailments of Christology for the church's participation in Christ, though some will wish he substantiated such a move with a more pronounced commitment to the metaphysic of classical realism. Conversant with the vast landscape of contemporary literature, Treier is a long-anticipated sign that Reformed, classical Christology will have a future once more.' -- Matthew Barrett, professor of Christian theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
'Neither merely iterating Christological commonplaces nor bedazzled by vogueish approaches, Treier's introduction to Christology treads an ancient path. It knows where theological sap is to be found, namely in the theological exposition of Scripture itself. Without ever losing sight of contemporary challenges and applications, Treier focuses the vision of the reader on the main thing, teaching her the peculiar Christological language of Scripture. The result is a measured, wise, and deeply nourishing Christology.' -- Adonis Vidu, Andrew Mutch Distinguished Professor of Theology, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
'Sophisticated and succinct, learned and lively, classically Reformed and deeply ecumenical, this elegant book presents an academically and historically rigorous evangelical Christology for today. Lord Jesus Christ should be a standard text in seminaries and for advanced undergraduates. Treier's rich theological exegesis and creative proposals make for a stimulating and vital read for anyone interested in the doctrine of Christ and praising the holy name(s) of Jesus.' -- Han-luen Kantzer Komline, Marvin and Jerene DeWitt Professor of Theology and Church History, Western Theological Seminary
'There is not a more important question to ponder than 'Who is Jesus?' In Lord Jesus Christ, Dan Treier offers an answer that is both evangelical and ecumenical. While acknowledging and engaging with contemporary Christological debates, Treier refreshingly lets Scripture set the agenda for the doctrine of Christ. He does so not only by providing theological exegesis of key texts but also by following the narrative arc of Scripture that begins with the eternal communion of the triune God and is consummated with the union of Christ and the church. This book equips the church to declare--with more depth and awe--that Jesus Christ is Lord.' -- Jeremy Treat, pastor for preaching and vision, Reality LA, adjunct professor of theology, Biola University
'This book is an exceptional contribution to the doctrine of Christ and is certain to establish itself among the finest Christologies in the present generation and beyond. Highlights, of which there are many, include associate its creative and intriguing framework that traces the Christological arc from the Son's eternal communion with the Father and the Holy Spirit, through the creation of the world by and for the Son, to the consummation of all things that will be united in him; its affirmation of traditional yet recently challenged elements of Christology such as eternal generation, extra carnem, humiliation without kenoticism, and penal substitution; and its aspiration (accomplished well) to be both evangelical and catholic through retrieval of the first six ecumenical councils and its framework of Protestant confessionalism. Lord Jesus Christ offers an exquisite and paradigm-setting dogmatic account of Christology and has my highest recommendation!' -- Gregg R. Allison, professor of Christian theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
'This is an excellent book that leverages recent interest in the theological interpretation of Scripture to present a fresh and compelling account of Christology that is biblically based, faithful to the broad Christian tradition, and relevant and convincing in our present context.' -- Steve Holmes, senior lecturer in theology, University of St. Andrews
About the Author
Scott Swain is professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He is author of several books, including The God of the Gospel: The Trinitarian Theology of Robert Jenson, and Trinity, Revelation, and Reading: A Theological Introduction to the Bible and its Interpretation. He serves as general editor (with Michael Allen) for T&T Clark’s International Theological Commentary and Zondervan’s New Studies in Dogmatics series.
Michael Allen (PhD, Wheaton College) is the John Dyer Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology and Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL.
